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Top 4 Things To Do After Graduation in Australia

After completing studies in Australia, international students have various options available. They can choose to stay in Australia or head back home.

If international students decide to stay in Australia, they can either continue studying to pursue a higher level of qualification or take up post-study work to gain work experience in Australia and utilise their newly gained knowledge. International students have another option of going back home, undertaking further study or working there.

It’s important to note that if you decide to work or pursue further study in Australia, you’ll have to check whether your visa allows you to do so. If not, you’ll need to apply for a new visa. Visit the Department of Home Affairs to see your available options and to check your visa conditions.

No matter what decision you choose to make, join your institution’s alumni group. It will help you to keep in touch with your classmates and provide you with great benefits and opportunities.

If you are an international student who is about to complete his/her studies in Australia and wondering what to do next, read this post to know your available options.

1. Complete Your Further Education in Australia

After completing graduation, many international students choose to stay in Australia and continue with their further studies to acquire a higher degree. Studying in Australia will not only allow you to make the most of your time in Australia but also gain advanced skills and knowledge to get a job in the field of your choice. If you decide to continue your studies in Australia, consider the following:

If international students have no plans on continuing further studies, they can extend their stay in Australia to either work or travel around. You may not be eligible to get a student visa, but you can apply for other temporary visa options. To get more information, you can visit the Department of Home Affairs.

You may wish to stay longer in Australia for the following reasons:

Enhance your Skills in Australia: You can apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) if you wish to stay in Australia to improve your English Language skills, travel or gain work experience. Subclass 485 allows you to stay in Australia for a period of 18 months. It is a great option for international students who want to stay in Australia for a while and attain Australian permanent residency.

Under the post-study work stream of this visa, students are allowed to complete their doctoral, masters and bachelors degree to stay in Australia and obtain work experience. Students who complete their PhD are eligible for a 4-year work visa. Whereas, students who complete their masters and bachelors degree can apply for a 3-year international student work visa.

Keep working for your current employer in Australia: If you desire to continue working for your present employer in Australia who’s ready to sponsor you on a permanent basis or temporarily via Employer Nomination Scheme Visa, then you can live in Australia till the time you continue to work for your current employer.

Obtain professional work experience in Australia: International students in Australia who have completed their graduation in the field of computer science, engineering and accounting are eligible to apply for a PYP (Professional Year Program). This a one year program that aims to increase the employability skills of international graduates through work and study experience. PYP is perfect for students who wish to get an Australian permanent residency. After successful completion of a professional year in Australia, candidates can earn up to 5 points in the skilled migrant visa points test.

Travel in Australia: Immediately after completing studies, international students usually want to take a break before finding a job or going back to their home country. Australia boasts beautiful places that you can explore after finishing your studies. You can apply for a Tourist Visa that allows you to stay in the country for a period of three, six or a maximum of twelve months. You can also work in Australia to gather funds for your travel. To do so, you can apply for a Work and Holiday Visa.

Get a working holiday: In order to work and at the same time enjoy your holiday in Australia, people between 18 to 30 years of age can apply for a Work and Holiday Visa which allows you to work and travel in Australia for a period of 12 months. Remember, you need to have a passport from an eligible country to apply for this visa. To get more information, visit Australia’s Department of Home Affairs.

Participate in your graduation ceremony: Many international students want to stay in Australia to attend their graduation ceremony. To extend your stay in Australia, you can apply for a tourist visa. Also, various educational institutions in Australia conduct graduation ceremonies overseas. This allows some of the international students to attend the graduation ceremony in their home country.

3. Apply for Permanent Residency in Australia

Once international students complete their studies in Australia, they wish to obtain Permanent Residency so that they can grab work opportunities and permanently live in Australia. You can apply for an Australian PR for international students through the options mentioned below:

Applying for permanent residency after student visa in Australia involves several steps that can get confusing. To receive all the details and get updated information, it’s crucial that you thoroughly research your options. For more details, visit the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

4. Return Back to Your Home Country

If you have no plans of working, travelling or living in Australia after completing your studies, then you must return back to your home country. Moving back and packing

everything up can be difficult, especially after living in Australia for years.

You might have to sell all the large items that you can’t take back home, pay the final bills, end your lease if you’ve rented a place and hand back the keys, and cancel all your services including mobile phone accounts, electricity and bank accounts.

Many Australian educational institutions run seminars or information sessions on returning home and adjusting to life outside of Australia. For more information, get in touch with your institution’s international student support staff.